The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department is bringing back its annual Breast Cancer Awareness shirt fundraiser, with all proceeds this year going to a local breast cancer survivor who continues to deal with the lasting effects of the disease and its treatment.
Each year, the department designs a special Breast Cancer Awareness shirt and donates 100 percent of proceeds to a community member affected by cancer or an organization that supports cancer patients.
This year’s recipient is an Ark City woman who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in March 2023, a year after she first raised concerns about a lump she had discovered.
Her treatment included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, lymph node removal and reconstructive surgery. She was declared in remission in October 2023, but has continued to experience significant health effects from her treatment.
According to information released by the city, estrogen-blocking medication has caused ongoing joint pain and fatigue, while lymph node removal resulted in permanent lymphedema in one arm. A reconstruction surgery in January also became severely infected and required additional surgeries.
The department said her experience illustrates how the effects of cancer can continue long after a patient enters remission and why community support remains important.
This year’s design is available as a short-sleeve T-shirt for $15, long-sleeve T-shirt for $20, crewneck sweatshirt for $20 or hoodie for $25. Adult sizes Small through 4X and youth sizes Small through Large are available. Adult sizes 2X through 4X cost an additional $3.
Orders must be placed and paid for by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
Payments can be made with cash at the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department, by check payable to Brandy Rice, through PayPal at @brandylrice or Venmo at @Brandy-Rice-512. Shipping is available for an additional cost based on the order.
The department said 100 percent of this year’s proceeds will go directly to the Ark City resident.
